In November 2018 representatives from Östersund went to both Dénia and Parma to learn and exchange experiences about the educational systems at secondary- and university level in the field of gastronomy.
In Dénia the Swedish visitors participated in a workshop led by the local UNESCO Office, where they got information about the regional strategy for development of the gastronomy sector in Dénia and surrounding areas. This was particularly interesting because the region of Jämtland, where Östersund is located, face many of the same challenges.
After this followed a trip to Prego to witness rice Production there, as well as payng La Freses vineyard a visit. The Swedish representatives report that they left Dénia inspired with a lot of new thoughts about how to use their UNESCO Creative Cities membership as a tool to develop the gastronomy in the region in different ways.
After Dénia the journey went on to Parma in Italy. Here they visited the University of Parma, discussing possibilities for cooperating with Mid Sweden University, as well as learning about the undergraduate and master program in gastronomy in Parma. There was also a visit to the agricultural secondary school in Parma, and to see their project called “Food Farm 4.0”. This project is aimed at preparing students better for working in the food industries in the area.
All in all the representatives from Östersund learned a lot about the Italian secondary and tertiary education system, made a lot of interesting new contacts, and are looking forward to sending students from Torsta upper secondary school to visit Parma in May!
